Old Irish goats graze again as they go on tour around County Carlow
Children from Mary's Preschool, McGrath Hall, Bagenalstown, keeping a safe distance from the two goats, cared for by herder, Melissa Jeuken and Shane Casey, Carlow Biodiversity Officer
THE herd of Old Irish Goats that drew almost 2,000 visitors across County Carlow earlier this summer is set to return next week for the second phase of an innovative biodiversity project.
The rare-breed goats will visit Bagenalstown on Monday 8 September and Tuesday 9 September, before moving to Tullow the following days, on Wednesday and Thursday. Schools, community groups and families are invited to meet the animals and learn about Carlow’s Urban Pollinator Foraging Network.
The goats first toured the county in late April and early May, visiting locations including Leighlinbridge, Carlow town’s Brooklawns, Burrindale and Sherwood green spaces, and Hacketstown Fire Station. The herd, led by Dermot the billy goat, was playfully nicknamed ‘Munch-chester United’ by Senator Malcolm Noonan during his visit to Leighlinbridge.
Shane Casey, biodiversity officer with Carlow County Council, said the summer tour attracted visitors “ranging from the very young to the very old” in “glorious sunshine”. The week also featured a Carlow version of ***Three Billy Goats Gruff*** performed by local children’s entertainer Wibbly Wobbly Wendy, which was posted online by the National Heritage Council.
The goat tours are part of Carlow County Council’s 2023 Green Infrastructure Strategy, which contains the policy that “no pollinator in County Carlow’s towns and villages will have to travel more than 200 metres in order to find a food source”. This approach has been highlighted by the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan as an example of best practice.
Mr Casey explained that the goats act as “a catalyst for change in management” rather than a complete solution. The aim is to move away from regular mowing and towards long-flowering meadows that improve conditions for biodiversity while saving time, labour and reducing carbon footprints.
Shepherd Hannah Miller will accompany the goats throughout the week, alongside Mr Casey, delivering educational talks on pollinators, land management and the rare breed itself. The council is also partnering with the County Carlow Environmental Network to offer practical help to residents wanting to make changes in how they manage their lawns and land.
